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Easy Air Fryer Lemon Butter Salmon Recipe – Flaky & Quick

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This Easy Air Fryer Lemon Butter Salmon Recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner, delivering flaky, tender salmon with a glossy lemon butter sauce in under 20 minutes. It’s quick, simple, and packed with bright, rich flavor that will make you look forward to Tuesday nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz / 170g each)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 3 minutes.
  2. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  3. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the melted butter, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard. Whisk until well combined. Set aside about 1 tablespoon of this mixture for basting later.
  4. Brush a generous layer of the lemon butter sauce over the top and sides of each fillet.
  5. Place the salmon fillets in the preheated air fryer basket, skin-side down if they have skin. Make sure they aren’t touching. Cook at 380°F (193°C) for 6 minutes.
  6. After 6 minutes, carefully open the air fryer. Baste the tops of the fillets with the reserved lemon butter sauce. Close the air fryer and cook for another 2 to 4 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the internal temperature reaches 125°F (52°C) for medium.
  7. Carefully remove the salmon from the air fryer using tongs. Let it rest on a clean plate for 2 minutes.
  8. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.

Notes

Pat the salmon very dry for the best sear. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. The basting step is crucial for flavor and moisture. Use an instant-read thermometer for perfect doneness. For frozen salmon, cook for 12-14 minutes without thawing.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer salmon, lemon butter salmon, easy salmon recipe, quick salmon, weeknight dinner, healthy salmon, keto salmon, gluten-free salmon

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/easy-air-fryer-lemon-butter-salmon-recipe-flaky-and-quick/